Style: Avant-Garde Classical, Electro-Acoustic, Tape Music, Creative Music, Third Stream
Vibes: Ominous, Sombre, Anxious, Cinematic, Dystopian, Surreal, Poetic, Chaotic, Cold, Complex, Eclectic, Exploratory
Themes: Political, Colonialism, War, Death, Liberation, History
Musical Qualities: Orchestral, Collage, Polyphonic, Dynamic, Spoken Word, Dense, Progressive, Sampling, Choral, Improvisation
Ilhan Mimaroglu – Sing Me a Song of Songmy Read More »
Styles: Library Music, Psych Rock, Instrumental Hip-Hop, Ambient
Vibes: Noir, Brooding, Nocturnal, Cinematic, Focused, Smooth, Shadowy, Eerie, Psychedelic, Sensual, Suspenseful
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Home Recording, Beats, Instrumental, Loops, Sampling
Emil Amos – Zone Black Read More »
Style: Progressive Electronic, Film Score, Experimental
Vibes: Dystopian, Hallucinatory, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Gloomy, Hypnotic, Futuristic, Exploratory, Ominous, Cinematic, Haunting, Imaginative
Musical Qualities: Suite, Vignettes, Atmospheric, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Progressive
Instrumentation: Synthesizers, Piano, Experimental Vocals, Drums
Robert Wyatt – The Animals Film Read More »
Styles: Chamber Ambient, Dark Ambient, Glitch, Ambient Techno
Vibes: Nocturnal, Brooding, Eerie, Mysterious, Cinematic, Dark, Desolate, Hypnotic, Melancholy, Mournful, Mysterious, Ominous, Shadowy, Sombre, Suspenseful
Musical Qualities: Micro-Sampling, Electro-Acoustic, Glitchy, Atmospheric, Instrumental, Orchestral, Beats
Murcof – Remembranza Read More »
Style: Free-Folk, Cretan Folk Music
Vibe: Mysterious, Cinematic, Brooding, Meditative, Eerie, Forest, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Instrumental, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Lute, Drums, Violin
Xylouris White – The Forest in Me Read More »
Style: Berlin School, Progressive Electronic, Space Ambient, Kosmische
Vibes: Cosmic, Meditative, Cinematic, Hypnotic, Open, Futuristic
Instrumentation: Synthesizers, ARP Odyssey, ARP, Farfisa Organ, Drums, Percussion, Phaser, Echo, Tape
Klaus Schulze – Picture Music Read More »
“Doomsdayer’s Holiday finds their already-broad palette continually expanding with 70s European film noir and cosmic free jazz explorations complimenting the Middle Eastern psychedelic folk-metal the group is already known for”
Grails – Doomsdayer’s Holiday Read More »
Style: Trance-Rock, Psych, Jam Band
Vibes: Pastoral, Cinematic, Communal, Rural, Driving, Earthy, Hypnotic, Open, Peaceful, Psychedelic, Contemplative
Musical Qualities: Slow, Dynamic, Instrumental, Repetitive, Jams, Riffs, Fuzzy, Atmospheric
featuring Ghost Face Killer, RZA, Method Man, GZA, Inspektah Deck, Cappachino, Master Killa, Nas,
Style: Hip-Hop [East Coast / Gangsta / Boom Bap]
Moods: Cinematic, Confident, Urban, Spiritual, Storytelling, Aggressive, Hedonistic
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Beats, Suite, Lyrical
Chef Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Read More »
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Country-Psych, Roots Rock
Moods: Reflective, Western, Road Trip, Desert, Warm, Groovy, Laid Back, Cinematic, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Dub Production, Melodic, Rhythmic
Instrumentation: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Organ, Drum Machine, Slide Guitars (Pedal Steel & Lap Steel), Harmonica, Synthesizers, Saxophone, Drums, Electric Bass
Scott Hirsch – Blue Rider Songs Read More »
Style: Instrumental Hip-Hop
Moods: Rebellious, Political, Futuristic, Communist, Spacey, Conceptual
Musical Qualities: Beats, Suite, Samples, Collage, Spoken Word, Loops
Waajeed – The Patty Hearst Beat Tape Read More »
Style: Progressive Folk, Acid Folk, Psychedelic Chamber Music
Moods: Mysterious, Exploratory, Medieval, Mystical, Ancient, Brooding, Forest, Haunting, Serpentine, Ritualistic, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Complex, Dense, Acoustic, Progressive, Percussive, Noisy, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Cello, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Organ, Sho, Banjo, Renaissance Harp, Rauschpfeife, Crumhorn, Cornamuse, Hurdy Gurdy, Electronics, Darbuka, Riq, Frame Drum, Percussion, Recorder, Piano, Vocal Harmonies
Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh – Overloaded Ark Read More »
Style: Space Rock, Progressive Electronic, Avant-Prog
Moods: Mechanical, Ominous, Futuristic, Martial, Dystopian, Heavy, Cinematic, Cold, Driving, Spacey
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Dynamic, Progressive, Pulse, Suite, Rhythmic, Instrumental, Odd Time Signatures, Riffs
Featured Musicians: Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, Marta Sofia Honer, etc
Styles: Orchestral Beat Music, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz
Mood: Spring, Cinematic, Warm, Uplifting, Spiritual, Groovy, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Lush, Suite, Sampling, Rhythmic, Orchestral, Instrumental, Beats, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Makaya McCraven – In These Times Read More »
Style: Shadow Americana, Free Folk, Country-Drone, Post-Rock
Moods: Western, Haunting, Ritualistic, Impressionistic, Meditative, Rustic, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Instrumental, Droney, Atmospheric
Ulaan Passerine – Sun Spar Read More »
features vocals from Bill Callahan, Emily Cross (Loma), Adam Torres, & Julia Holter
Style: Haunted Folk, Ambient Americana, Southern Gothic
Moods: Desolate, Bleak, Haunting, Western, Cinematic, Stark, Sombre, Rustic, Melancholy, Brooding, Contemplative, Depressive, Nocturnal, Alienation, Dystopian, Impressionistic, Lonely, Moody, Mournful, Mythic, Noir, Personal
Musical Qualities: Suite, Atmospheric, Slow, Sampling, Electro-acoustic, Droney
Style: Kosmische Musik, Berlin School, Space Ambient, Progressive Electronic
Moods: Spacey, Desolate, Meditative, Exploratory, Suspenseful, Cosmic, Hypnotic, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Slow, Thematic, Atmospheric, Progressive, Instrumental
Klaus Schulze – Timewind Read More »
Style: Atmospheric Jazz, Post-Minimalism
Moods: Nocturnal, Suspenseful, Motorik, Western, Desert, Cinematic, Hypnotic
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Electroacoustic, Rhythmic, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Drums
Oren Ambarchi / Johan Berthling / Andres Werliin – Ghosted Read More »
Style: Desert Rock, Spaghetti Western, Heavy Psych
Vibe: Adventure, Epic, Desert, Triumphant, Western, Cinematic, Focused
Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Riffs, Atmospheric, Dynamic
Instrumentation: Saxophone, Electric Guitars, Slide Guitar, Bass, Drums, Melodica
Abronia – Obsidian Visions / Shadowed Lands Read More »
Style: Southern Rap, Psychedelic Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul
Vibe: Futuristic, Spacey, Philosophical, Surreal, Urban, Cerebral, Confident, Conscious, Storytelling, Determined, Conceptual
Musical Qualities: Technical, Progressive, Lyrical, Sampling, Group Vocals, Rhythmic
Style: Industrial Jazz-Funk, Abstract Fusion, No Wave
Vibe: Futuristic, Menacing, Cold, Groovy, Mechanical, Hypnotic, Industrial, Dystopian
Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Repetitive, Dub Production, Instrumental, Percussive, Sampling
Instrumentation: Saxophone, Electric Bass, Drums, Percussion, Electric Guitar, Rhythm Box, Prepared Piano, Clarinet
Material – Temporary Music Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Post-Rock
Influences: Arabic Folk, Horror Soundtracks, Kosmisch, Library Music, Spaghetti Westerns, Prog, Stoner Rock, American Primitive Guitar, Raga
Vibe: Adventure, Driving, Cinematic, Exploratory, Epic, Ominous, Nocturnal
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Dynamic, Fuzzy, Riffs, Progressive, Atmospheric
Grails – Burning Off Impurities Read More »
Style: Cyber-Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz, Future Jazz
Influences: IDM, Afrobeat, Free Jazz
Vibe: Futuristic, Mechanical, Driving, Energetic, Suspenseful, Cinematic, Eclectic, Abstract, Spacey
Musical Methods: Thematic Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Instrumental, Studio-as-an-Instrument,
Instrumentation: Cornet, Drums, Mbira, Synthesizers, Game Boy, Guitar, Balaphone, Electronics, Bamboo Flute
Chicago Underground Duo – Locus Read More »
Style: Trip-Hop
Vibe: Noir, Brooding, Sensual, Passionate, Melancholy, Angsty, Sombre, Mysterious, Cinematic, Anxious, Sad, Dark
Musical Qualities: Orchestral, Live, Lush, Dense, Rhythmic, Sampling
Portishead – Roseland NYC Live Read More »
Style: Inner Space Music, Ambient Pop, Tape Music, Minimal Wave
Vibe: Ethereal, Suspenseful, Introspective, Soothing, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Meditative, Cinematic, Dreamy, Ominous (A2, B2, B3)
Musical Qualities: Pulse, Home Recording, Minimalistic, Atmospheric, Vignettes
Instrumentation: Keyboards, Drum Machine, Vocals, Tape Loops, Electric Guitar, Marimba, Echo
Peter Kardas – I Saw You Read More »
Style: Instrumental Hip-Hop
Vibe: Soulful, Warm, Sunny, Groovy, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Beats, Vignettes, Sound Collage, Instrumental, Rhythmic
Beat Kondukta – Vol. 1: Movie Scenes / Vol. 2: Movie Scenes, the Sequel Read More »
Style: Innervisionary, Psychedelic Tape Music, Ambient Dub, Future Folk, Experimental, New Age
Vibe: Alien, Mystical, Woozy, Nocturnal, Exploratory
Musical Qualities: Collage, Loops, Electro-acoustic, Percussive, Dub Fx, Dissonance
Dennis Wise – Wize Music Read More »
Style: Neoclassical Darkwave, Symphonic Rock, Singer-Songwriter
Moods/Vibe: Cathartic, Brooding, Sombre, Mystical, Epic, Ominous, Motorik, Spiritual, Cinematic, Powerful, Mourning, Funereal
Musical Qualities: Orchestral, Driving, Lush, Dense
Circuit Des Yeux – -io Read More »
Style: Avant-Chamber Jazz, Poly-Free Improvisation
Vibe: Abstract, Open, Suspenseful
Musical Attributes: Thematic Collective Improvisation, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Slide Guitar, Violin, Electric Guitar, Drums, Upright Bass
Susan Alcorn Quintet – Pedernal Read More »
Ry Cooder’s beautifully spacious ambient-western compositions are a transcendent pairing with this meditative, expansive film.
Ry Cooder – Paris, Texas (Soundtrack) Read More »
Style: Space Rock, Progressive Electronic
Vibe: Confident, Cinematic, Cosmic, Triumphant, Epic, Suspenseful
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Instrumental, Progressive, Thematic
Tangerine Dream – Force Majeure Read More »
Style: Space Rock, Free Rock, Kosmische Musik
Vibe: Primordial, Mysterious, Exploratory, Cold, Desolate, Cosmic, Suspenseful, Meandering, Abstract, Amorphous, Cinematic, Psychedelic, Murky
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Improvisation, Instrumental, Dissonant, Noisy, Raw, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Tangerine Dream – Electronic Meditation Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Chamber Jazz, Modern Creative Music
Vibe: Intertwined, Open, Patient, Flowing, Noir, Suspenseful, Spiritual, Communal, Abstract
Musical Qualities: Poly-Free Improvisation, Polyphonic, Acoustic, Complex, Instrumental, Dynamic
Instrumentation: Trumpet (muted), Harp, Vibraphone, Upright Bass, Clarinet, Trombone, Wooden Flute, Drums, Saxophone, Flugelhorn
Wadada Leo Smith – Spirit Catcher Read More »
Style: Film Score (LP1 – Stoner Rock, Noise Rock; LP2 – Psych Folk, Arabic Folk, Gnawa)
Vibe: Nocturnal, Murky, Melancholy, Hypnotic, Raw, Loose, Dark, Loner, Stoned, Droney, Alienation
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Noisy, Fuzzy, Riffs
Josef Van Wissem / SQÜRL – Only Lovers Left Alive Read More »
Style: Post-Rock, Space Rock, Electronic-Rock, Kosmische-Influenced
Vibe: Futuristic, Nocturnal, Mechanical, Focused, Cinematic, Restrained
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Dynamic, Pulse, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Mogwai – Rave Tapes Read More »
Style: Kosmische-Influenced Experimental Rock, Space Rock
Vibe: Motorik, Ominous, Spacey, Futuristic, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Progressive, Rhythmic, Atmospheric
Style: Post-Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Vibe: Cinematic, Contemplative, Focused, Hypnotic, Mellow, Peaceful, Spacey, Stoned
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Riffs, Instrumental
featuring members of Grails and Slint
Watter – This World Read More »
Style: Post-Rock, Shoegaze, Slowcore
Vibe: Cinematic, Moody, Contemplative, Focused, Fuzzy, Melancholy, Sombre, Cathartic
Musical Attributes: Dynamic, Melodic, Noisy, Repetitive, Slow, Atmospheric, Polyphonic
Mogwai – Mr. Beast Read More »
Style: Celtic New Age, Symphonic Prog
Vibe: Ethereal, Medieval, Spring, Mellow, Meditative, Rainy, Soothing, Cinematic, Eclectic, Epic, Pastoral
Musical Qualities: Suite, Orchestral, Lush, Atmospheric, Progressive, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: harp, electric guitar, acoustic bass, electric bass, bagpipe, uilleann pipes, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, classical guitar, mandolin, bodhran, bouzouki, banjo, spinet, piano, Organ, synthesizer, glockenspiel, percussion, choral vocals, brass, tympani, drums, percussion
Mike Oldfield – Ommadawn Read More »
Released in 1975 on Island Records Format: LP
Brian Eno – Another Green World Read More »
LPx2, 45rpm, Relapse Records Style: Space Rock, Progressive Electronic Vibe: Sci-Fi, Driving, Futuristic, Spacey, Motorik, Focused, Muscular, Cinematic, Ominous Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Instrumental, Repetitive, Odd Time Signatures, Technical, Dynamic Instrumentation: Analogue Synthesizers, Drums, Electric Bass
Zombi – Shape Shift Read More »
Released in 1976 on Virgin Records Format: LP
Tangerine Dream – Stratosfear Read More »
Released in 2001 on Temporary Residence Recorded in 2000 Format: LP
Released in 2014 on Southern Lord Recordings Format: LP
Sunn O))) & Ulver – Terrestrials Read More »
Released in 1961 on Impulse Records Format: LP
Gil Evans – Out of the Cool Read More »
Released on Capitol Records in 1969 2000 Pressing Format: LP
David Axelrod – Songs of Experience Read More »
Darkly cinematic rock instrumentals with some creeping, Dostoevskian vibes. This is probably the most meticulous and progressive album I’ve heard from these guys, who are always finding new ways of funneling their omnivorous library of influences into their dramatic and atmospheric psych rock stylings.
Grails – Deep Politics Read More »
Groovy soul instrumentals decorated with sweeping orchestral arrangements, jazz soloing, and psychedelic guitars, all inspired by William Blake’s writings.
David Axelrod – Songs of Innocence Read More »
Album Information: Released in 1997 on Constellation Records Format: LP, includes inserts, a flyer, and a penny smashed by a train
Godspeed You Black Emperor! – F#A# Read More »
Released in 2008 on Important Records Format: LP
Grails – Take Refuge in Clean Living Read More »
Album Information: Released in 2013 on Mexican Summer Hand numbered: 777/1000 Format: LP
Lilacs & Champagne – Danish & Blue Read More »
While each Grails album uses instrumental rock as a means to explore a vast record collection’s worth of influences, none have done so with the subtlety and focus put into each track of this latest offering, allowing us to see the intangible essence of their sound more clearly than ever.
Grails – Chalice Hymnal Read More »
